Arson Attack in Park Gardens

Vandals have caused serious damage to a shelter in memory of those people from Stroud who sacrificed their lives for their country during the First World War.

The shelter in Park Gardens in Slad Road was set alight sometime Friday night.

Gloucestershire Fire Service was called to incident on Saturday morning and had to cut away some parts of the shelter.

Now the Town Council is calling for people who may have seen the attack to contact the police.

"This shelter is in memory of those people who sacrificed their lives in the First World War. This act will cause great offence to people in Stroud who have lost loved ones in conflicts," said Town Mayor Councillor Kevin Cranston.

"We would appeal for anyone who heard or saw something suspicious to contact the police."

The land for Park Gardens was donated by Councillor Sidney Park as a memorial to his only son Herbert and all those who fell in the First World War. Herbert was killed in France on 26 October 1917 in a training accident. He was 23.

Witnesses are asked to contact the police by phoning 101 or anonymously to Crimestoppers 0800 555111 stating incident number 78 (26/9/20).